Gemini boiler plate capsule to exceed $10,000 at RR Auction?

An original Gemini boiler plate capsule carries a minimum bid of $10,000 ahead of RR Auction's November 13 Space and Aviation auction.

The massive piece stands 9.5 feet tall and weighs two tons. It's one of seven produced for testing weight and flotation in training prior to the mission.

Gemini capsule RR
The boilerplate was found in a barn in the early 2000s

RR Auction comment: "This particular example was rescued as a 'barn find' in the late 2000s after having been originally purchased from surplus auctions at the Rockwell Downey facility in the late 1970s."

The Gemini program was active between 1965 and 1966, with 10 manned flights taking place. The object was to prepare astronauts and NASA staff for the Moon landings.

A Viking program biological instrument, described as "the only flight ready unit on Earth", is expected to sell for in excess of $5,000.

The unit was designed to take soil samples on the surface of Mars in the Viking missions of the 1970s. Two other examples remain on the planet - the present lot was never flown.

It works by heating the sample to various temperatures to gauge its composition and search for traces of life.

The sale will also include the first space flown Hasselblad camera, which carries an estimate of $50,000-100,000.

We have an incredible selection of space memorabilia available.

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